Public’s Help Sought on the 30th Anniversary of the Murder of Alexander Michel Odeh

Public’s Help Sought on the 30th Anniversary of the Murder of Alexander Michel Odeh

Upon this weekend’s 30th anniversary of the murder of Alexander Michel Odeh, the victim of a targeted bombing in Orange County, California, the FBI reminds the public that the case remains open and that a $1 million reward is being offered.

Odeh, who was the Western Regional Director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), was killed as he arrived to work on October 11, 1985, as a result of an explosive device that detonated when he unlocked and opened the door of the ADC’s Office at 1905 East 17th Street in Santa Ana, California. In addition, the bomb injured several other victims and caused massive damage to the building. The bomb was described as a “booby-trapped” improvised explosive device.

“The FBI has not allowed the memory of Mr. Odeh to fade due to the passage of time,” said David Bowdich, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “While exhaustive investigation has been conducted over three decades on this case, members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force continue to investigate proactively and generate new leads. I am hopeful that one day we will solve this case and deliver justice to Mr. Odeh’s family.”

Mr. Odeh was a Palestinian-born naturalized United States citizen. Investigators believe Odeh may have been targeted for his activism and/or candid views, which he discussed publicly. While working theories exist relative to motive, the FBI has not engaged in the naming of “persons of interest” and to date, no one has been charged with the bombing murder.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office supports the FBI’s continued investigation into this case and our thoughts are with the family of Alexander Odeh, his friends, and the Arab-American Anti-Defamation Committee on the 30th anniversary of his murder,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker of the Central District of California. “Although the efforts of many dedicated prosecutors and agents over the last 30 years have not solved this case, it remains an active investigation, and we stand willing to prosecute this case when we obtain sufficient evidence to do so. We encourage anyone with information on this murder and terrorist act to step forward and provide it to federal authorities.”

In 1996, the Department of Justice offered a reward of up to $1 million in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or group responsible for the bombing murder of Mr. Odeh. The reward remains in place today, and the FBI urges anyone who may have information about the case to come forward. Information can be provided to the nearest FBI office or American Embassy or Consulate around the world. In Los Angeles, the FBI may be reached 24 hours a day at (310)-477-6565.